Combining telephones and phonographs



Jan. 22, 1946. H. R. VAN DEVENTER 3 2,393,272

COMBINING TELEPHONE AND PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 9, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inv :72 for 1946- H. R. VAN DEVENTER 2,393,272

COMBINING TELEPHONE AND PHONOGRAPIII I Filed Nov. 9, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v Inverzfor HarflR. Vnllepenfer Patented Jan. 22, 1946 COMBINING TELEPHONES AND PHONOGRAPHS Harry R. "an Deventer, New York, Y.

Application November 9, 1943, Serial No. 509,544

34 Claims.

This invention relates to combining, telephones and phonographs, and has for an object the provision of means whereby a subscriber's telephone may be combined with a phonograph that will operate, in the subscribers absence, to answer the telephone.

Another object is the provision of means whereby a subscribers telephone, of the usual handset variety, can be combined with the phono- .graph without changing the interior wiring or connections of the telephone, by making two 7 holes through the base plate thereof, to permit the introduction into the interior of the telephone casing of operating rods extending from the telephone mechanism to the phonograph mechanism, the latter being in the phonograph cabinet-on which the telephone is supported.

Further objects are the provision of a simple, compact, device to answer the telephone; the provision of an improved mounting for a phonograph reproducer particularly adapted to the special use herein disclosed (but suitable for use in many other applications and arrangements where phonographs are used).

Other objects will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification, where by way 01 illustration, 9. preferred embodiment of the device is disclosed.

There are a large number of'telephone instruments of the cradle, or handset, type in use all over the world and itis desirable, and is one of the objects of this invention, to provide a phonograph instrument especially adapted for use with such telephones without changing the telephone instrument or circuits, except to make two holes in the base plate of the telephone, as hereinafter described.

By the invention herein disclosed, the transmitter of the telephone is used to transmit the phonograph recording to the calling subscriber. Also, the telephone ringer is used to control the phonograph, and the telephone hook switch is' used to connect the transmitter to the telephone line while the phonograph is in operation. .Thus the cost of the parts necessary to accomplish these functions, when the telephone instrument is not used as herein described, is saved, and the amount of apparatus considerably reduced as compared with telephone-phonograph combinations heretofore known.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a well known type of handset telephone supported on a phonograph, and connected for operation therewith as hereinafter described;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the top of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section, of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view looking down on the record table, shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the apparatus, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an alternate wiring diagram of apparatus in which a spring motor may be employed.

Figure 7 is a view partly in section on the line 1-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a view partly in section on the line 88 of Figure 3.

The numeral I0 generally denotes the phonograph cabinet, constructed in any suitable manner to contain the apparatus presently described and preferably having a drawer II in its lower portion for records.

The cabinet has a hinged top or lid [2 having a plurality of apertures I3, l3 therein to permit sound from the phonograph to pass upwardly to the telephone transmitter, as presently described-.- The entire upper surface of the lid can be perforated, or formed of a suitable screen through which the sound will readily pass.

Secured to the lid l2, in any suitable manner, are the adjustable guide members I i, l5, l6, H, which have slotted ears as indicated at l8 engaged by thumb screws [9 so that the guides can be easily adjusted to accurately position the bas 20 of the telephone casing.

Telephones of the type shown and described usually have a connecting cord 2| and a receiver cord 22 extending respectively from the rear and one side of the base. Therefor, the members It and Il are slotted to receive these cords and this insures that the telephone will always be replaced properly on the phonograph cabinet, as it will not fit in the guide members except in the position shown on account of the cords.

Should it be necessary, for any reason, not to rely upon positioning the telephone by using the cords and slots as just described, a projecting tongue 23 may be attached to one edge of the base 20 and is received in a, corresponding groove in one of the members, such as I I as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thus positioning the base of the telephone in relation to the phonograph cabinet.

The guide members it to H, inclusive, may be high enough to prevent the telephone base 20 from contacting the operating levers of the phono graph unless the base is introduced into the guides in the proper position.

The telephone casing contains the usual telephone ringer 85, condenser C, induction coil 1 and other parts, including a switching spring assembly H commonly termed the "hook switch" having a plunger, or plungers, P, extending upno attempt is here made to describe them in detail, as any telephone of this general typemay be used if it has a switching mechanism and a ringer that can be reached by the operating rods or members-to be presently described.

Practically all such telephones have a switch that can be reached through a hole in the bottom plate of the casing, and the mechanism is of such a nature that, by pushing upwardly against it, the contacts can be closed and the instrument placed in circuit without displacing the handset 25 from the cradle 24. Advantage is taken of this; the handset may be slightly raised in the cradle but because of the ears retaining it on the pedestal, it will not fall off, although the telephone. is connected to its line circuit.

The base plate 26 of the telephone is apertured, as shown at 21 and 28, so that when the telephone is in position on the cabinet I, the operating rods 29, 30 will enter the casing and respectively contact the switching mechanism and the ringer thereinI The apertures or holes 21, 28 are easily made in the base plates of existing telephones which can then be used withthe phonograph apparatus herein described without further change.

Referring 30 Figure 3, 3| denotes a mounting plate that may be secured in the phonograph cabinet III in any suitable manner. Secured to said plate, or integral therewith, is the stem or support 32 which forms a supporting bearing for the revolvable bushing 33 to which the record table 34 is connected in any suitable manner. The record table supports a suitable phonograph record 35 which may have a plurality of spacedapart recordings thereon, as at 36 and 31.

Secured to support 32 is the collar 38 having an irregular upper portion shown at 39 adapted to engage and position the removable support 40 which slidably Jim on the support 32 and is clamped thereto by the screw 4|.

The support 40 has a radially extending arm 42 upon the outer end of which is mounted the arm 43 free to move horizontally and vertically. n the outer end of arm 43 is mounted the reproducer 44 of the phonograph and this may have a horn 45 adapted to direct sound upwardly where it will find egress through the openings 13 in the top l2 of the cabinet and impinge upon the transmitter T of the handset which is positioned so as to overlie the horn as much as possible.

The reproducer has a pair of upwardly extending arms 46, 41 which support a roller 48 engaging a lifting member 49 pivoted at 58 to an arm extending from the support 40. The upper edge of the member 48 has a plurality of sloping surfaces 52, 53 which incline toward the right, Figure 3, so that when said member is in the upper position shown in Figure 3, the reproducer 44 will, by reason of the sloping surface 52 or 53 and the roller 48, return by gravity to the extreme right, the needle 64 of the reproducer being out of contact with record 35.

The lifting member or arm 43 has an inwardly extending portion 55 which extends through a slot-58 in the upper end of support 32 so as to underlie the head 51 of rod 58 which is vertically movable in support 32 as shown. An adjusting screw 59 is provided for adjusting the upper movement of the end 55 of the lifting member.

It will be seen that the support 48, thearms 42 and 43, reproducer 44 and horn 45, the reproducer lifting mechanism-arms 46, 41, roller 48, member 49 and its adjusting means 59 form a unitary removable unit that can be taken of! the .center support '32 and removed from the phonograph for examination and repair without disassembling any of these associated parts by loosening screw 4| and pulling the member 40 upwardly.

When so removed, the record 35 is easily changed or the upper surface of it cleaned; If desired, a recorder can be substituted for the reproducer and a recording made upon a pregrooved record in situ, thereby insuring accurate recordings exactly within the spaces 36, 31 on the record, as many of such spaces and corresponding slopes, such as 52 and 53 on the member 49, being used as desired.

The upper end of rod 58 above the head 51 thereof forms an extension tip and is reduced in diameter, as shown at 68, to fit within the sliding sleeve 61 forming the bottom of rod 29, a spring 62 being interposed between these members as shown in Figure 3. The sleeve is slotted as shown at 63 and a pin 84 permits the sleeve to telescope on 60, as indicated in Figure 6. The sleeve 6| is threaded to the rod 29, as indicated at 65, and provided with a lock-nut 66 so that the length of the tip can be adjusted.

,A motor 61, mounted on plate 3|, has a shaft '68 extending to a suitable speed reducer 63 which has a shaft 1'0 extending therefrom and operating at the proper speed, and provided at its outer end with a worm H engaging the worm gear 12 on vertical shaft 13 which drives the usual rubber-tired friction wheel 14 to rotate the record table 34. Any suitable drive can be used; the speed reducer can be combined with the motor in any known manner, and the entire showing here is purely diagrammatic, as many suitable arrangements are well known and in common use,

The speed reducer has a second shaft 15 which is driven by motor 61 at such speed that it makes one revolution while the table 34 is making the -necessary revolutions to cause the reproducer needle 54 to traverse the space 36 on the record 35. Shaft I5 has secured thereto the cams 16, I1.

Cam I6 operates the rod 58, moving same upwards (from a position of rest as shown in Figure 3) and holding same in the "up position while the phonograph is in operation.

Cam 11 operates just before cam 18 completes its cycle of revolution, and cam 11 in passing, momentarily opens contacts I8 controlling the motor circuit.

The shaft 15 and cams l6 and Il may be relatively adjustable by any suitable means so as to accurately time the points at which the rod 58 is lowered and the contacts [8 opened.

In the lid I2 is mounted a casing 19, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, containing a relay having'a normally open contact 8| and an armature 82 pivoted on the casing at 83 and normally held in open circuit position by the light retractile spring 88. Secured to the armature is the upwardly extending operating rod 88 which may be forked or otherwise formed at its upper end to engage a movable part of the telephone ringer BIS-preferably the striker rod 88, so that when the ringer is operated, the armature 82 will make contact at 8| and complete a circuit from the current supply 81 via 88, 82, 8|, 88 and through normally closed contacts 18 to the other side 88 of the supply circuit. This energizes relay 88 which locks in circuit with contact 8| closed,

thereby completing a circuit from 81 to 88, 82, 8|

motor 81 to 88 thereby energizing the motor,

. which operates until the contacts 18 are momentarily opened by cam 11 which opens the circuit through relay 88 releasing armature 82 and restoring the relay to open-circuit condition, stopping the motor.

Usually, telephone ringers have a biassing spring attached to the ringer armature or striker rod 88, pulling same to one side, and therefor, the spring 88 can be omitted, or can be used instead of the usual biassingspring.

Assuming that the record 35 has a recording, or recordings, thereon and that the telephone instrument is placed in position on the cabinet |8, the main switch 88 is closed to connect the device to a suitable source of current via conductors 81, 88. The apparatus is in the position shown in Figure 3-and the handset 25 is resting on plunger P and the contacts of switch H are open.

is compressed and member 28 is forced upwardly against the telephone switch mechanism H, operating same without, however, completely forcing the handset 25 out of its supporting cradle 28, This places the transmitter T in circuit with the line L, L ready to transmit.

As the rod 58 moves upwardly, the head 51 thereof releases the end 550i arm 88 upon which the reproducer 88 is suspended and the needle 58 thereof contacts the record and the sound recorded thereon emerges from horn 85, and passing upwardly through the grille or openings |3 in the top of the cabinet l2, impinges upon the transmitter T and is heard by the waiting subscriber at the calling end of line L, L.

The reproducer travels over the record space 38 to the left, Figure 3, during which travel the roller 88 also moves with it, so that when the reproducer reaches the end of the recording, the roller will be above the high point 88 of the sloping surface 52. At thistime, cam 11 passes the contacts 18 which are opened, thereby opening the motor circuit; as the motor stops c-am l8 lowers rod 58, the head 57 of which engages the end 55 of arm 88 raising the latter to the "at rest" position shown in Figure 3. The arm 88 picks up roller 88 carrying reproducer 88 which is lifted away from the record, and as the roller 88 moves down the sloping surface 52, the reproducer 88 is returned to its starting or "at rest position, shown in Figure 3.

,If the reproducer is moved to the second recording space 31, the action is the same as just described, the roller 88' then coming to rest at the point 8| which will bring the needle 58 at rest above the beginning of the recording 31.

The arms 82, 83 are so connected that the reproducer 88 is free to move horizontally and vertically' sufliciently to function as described, and while anacoustic mechanical reproducer is shown, 'it will be understood that any form of electrical reproducer with the necessary amplification can'be used, the power feed to the electronic circuit being taken off the control circuit, as shown at 82, Figure 5.

As such electronic reproducing circuits are well known, they are not herein described. A typical common battery telephone circuit has been shown by way of illustration, but any circuit can be usedeither magneto or common battery.

The interposition of spring 82 and the adjusta-i bility of the member 8| at 85 provide an easy way of adjusting the tip of rod 28 and, as rod 58 is lowered by cam 18, the rod 28 releases the telephone hook switch H, the weight of the handset engages plunger P and the telephone circuits are restored to normal open circuit position.

- Obviously, the telephone'can be used for outgoing calls in the usual manner Without operating the iphonograph, and can receive incoming calls without phonograph operation by opening switch 88 or by removing the telephone instrument from its cooperative position on the phonograph cabinet l8.

Where necessary or desirable, a spring-wind motor 83, Figure 6, may be substituted for the electric motor 61 shown in the other figures, and, as this substitution will usually occur where no current supply is available, the, relay 88 is connected across the telephone line L, L in series with the contacts 18 as shown, A stop-pawl is connected to the gear train of the motor 83--and is engaged and held by the movable member 88 of relay 88. When said relay operates, the pawl is released and the spring motor operates its shaft 88, cam 11, et cetera, same as the electric motor 81 previously described.

If a magneto telephone employing local batteries is employed, the wires 81, 88 connect to said batteries or to a pair of dry cells instead of to the common battery telephone line' L, L, thus making any outside source of current unnecessary.

A winding key 88 is provided so that the motor spring can be wound when necessary. As the construction and operation of such spring motors is well known, the motor 83 is not described in detail. The apparatus within the dotted line I88, Figure 6, is the telephone apparatus shown in the other figures.

It will be seen that the interconnection between the phonograph and telephone instrument is purely mechanical and, therefore, the telephone is movable independently of the phonograph, and usable independently thereof.

Also, When the telephone instrument is removed from the top of cabinet l8, the phonograph is automatically disabled, that is to say, is rendered non-operative, until the telephone is replaced thereon, whereupon the rods 28 and 38 are automatically positioned adjacent the cooperating parts in the telephone instrument, without having to make any mechanical adjustments or disturbing the electrical wiring in the instrument.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, but it will be obvious that many changes and modifications can be made, and such changes are deemed to be within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a line circuit and a telephone instrument connected thereto includsignalling device, a telephone answering device including an actuating member extending into said telephone instrument and operatively engaging the switching mechanism therein to connect the transmitter thereof to said circuit, a motor for operating said actuating member, a phonograph record adapted to be moved by said motor, a reproducer adjacent said record, means operated by said actuating member to cause said reproducer to first engage said record for a predetermined period and thereby cause sound to impinge upon the transmitter of said telephone and thereafter disengage said record, and means operated by said signalling device for controlling the operation of said motor.

2. In combination with a line circuit and telephone instrument connected thereto including switching mechanism a transmitter and a signalling device, a telephone answering device including an actuating member extending into said telephone instrument and operatively engaging the switching mechanism therein to connect the transmitter thereof to said circuit, a motor ,for operating said actuating member, a phonograph record adapted to be moved by said motor, a reproducer adjacent said record, means operated by said actuating member to cause said reproducer to first engage said record for a predetermined period and thereby cause sound to impinge upon the transmitter of said telephone and thereafter disengage said record, and means controlled by the operation of said motor for determining the running time thereof. 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reproducer is adjustably supported upon a movable member positioned above said record and said movable member is moved by said actuating member to move the reproducer relative to the record.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said last means includes contacts arranged to open the circuit supplying current to said motor.

5. In combination with a line circuit and telephone apparatus connected thereto including switching mechanism and a transmitter, a telephone answering device including an actuating member extending into said telephone instrument and operatively engaging the switching mechanism therein to connect the transmitter thereof to said circuit, a rotatable record table through which said actuating member extends, a reproducer above said table, and means controlled by the movement of said actuating member for moving said reproducer toward and away from said table.

6. In combination with a line circuit and telephone apparatus connected thereto including ing an actuating member extending into said teleproducer and said actuating member whereby said 2,893,272 ing switching mechanism a transmitter and a tending through said aperture, a reproducer above said table and movably secured to and supported by said support, and means connecting said reto said support above said table, a second support,

an arm pivoted to said second support and extending outwardly therefrom, a reproducer carried on said last arm and supported thereby and adapted in one position to approach the upper surface of said table, and an actuating member extending through the aperture in said record table and engaging the inner end of said arm to reciprocate the same.

10. In combination, a revolvable record table having a fixed support perpendicular to the surface thereof and extending through a central aperture therein, a movable actuating member substantially parallel to said support and extending through said aperture in said table, and a reproducer assembly removably secured to said support above said table and supported thereby inciuding a reproducer and a supporting arm therefor adapted to be moved by said actuating member whereby said reproducer may be moved to ward or away from the surface of said record table.

11. In combination, a revolvable record table having a fixed support perpendicular to the surphone instrument and operatively engaging the switching mechanism therein to connect the transmitter thereof to said circuit, a rotatable record table through which said actuating member extends, a reproducer above said table, means controlled by the movement of said actuating member for moving said reproducer toward and away from said table, and control means for said motor operatively connected to said signalling device.

7. In combination, a motor, an apertured record table driven thereby, a support extending through said aperture, an actuating member exface thereof and extending through a central aperture therein, a movable actuating member substantially parallel to said support and extending through said aperture in said table, a reproducer mounted above said table and movably supported on said support and adapted to be lowered toward said table by movement of said member and a mounting plate below said table upon which all of the foregoing parts are supported.

12. In combination, a revolvable record table having a fixed support perpendicular to the surface thereof and extending through a central aperture therein, a movable actuating member substantiallyparallel to said support and extending through said aperture in said table, a reproducer mounted above said table and movably supported on said support and adapted to be lowered toward said table by movement of said member, a motor, means connected to said motor and engaging said actuating member to reciprocate the same as said motor revolves, and means connected to said motor for revolving said table.

13. In combination, a revolvable record table having a fixed support perpendicular to the surface thereof and extending through a central aperture therein, a movable actuating member substantially parallel to said support and extending through said aperture in said table, a reproducer mounted above said table and movably supported on said support and adapted to be lowered toward said table by movement of said member, a motor, means connected to said motor and engaging said actuating member to reciprocate the same, and means operated by a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor for controlling the same.

14. In combination with a telephone instrument having a transmitter and signalling mechanism, a cabinet adapted to support said instrument and having an opening subjacent said transmitte to permit sound originating in said cabinet to find egress therefrom to impinge upon said transmitter, means within said cabinet for reproducing speech including a motor-operated device 'and means actuated by said signalling mechanism for controlling the operation of said device.

15. In a phonograph mechanism having a movable actuating member adapted to engage and operate a telephone switching mechanism, means for adjusting the eifective length of said memberincluding an extension tip mounted for longitudinal adjustment at the extremity of said member.

16. In a phonograph mechanism having a movable actuating member adapted to engage and operate a telephone switching mechanism, an extension tip for said member, and a yielding connection between said tip and member whereby said tip and member may telescope.

17. In a phonograph mechanism having a movable actuating member adapted to engage and operate a telephone switching mechanism, means for adjusting the effective length of said member including an extension tip mounted for longitudinal movement along said member, and a spring between said tip and member tending to urge said tip outwardly while permitting same to telescope thereon.

18. In combination, a motor driven phonograph, an actuating member, means driven by said motor for moving said member, telephone switching mechanism engaged and operated to closed circuit position by the aforesaid movement of said member, and a telephone hand set adapted by gravity to move said switching mechanism to open circuit position and move said member the while.

19. In combination, a motor driven phonograph, a telephone switching mechanism, an ac-,

instrument and adapted to be moved by said signalling means, said motor being controlled by the movement of said second actuating member.

tuating member operatively connected to said motor and engaging said switching mechanism to move same from open to closed circuit position and having an initial starting position, and a telephone handset adapted to engage said switching mechanism and by gravity restore same to open circuit position and move said member to its initial starting position.

20. The combination as claimed in claim 19 wherein a spring is interposed between the telephone switching mechanism and the actuating member to permit a yielding contact between thesame.

21. In combination with a telephone instrument of the character described, a motor-driven phonograph, an actuating member extending from said phonograph and into said instrument and contacting the switching mechanism therein to move same from open to closed circuit position when said member is actuated by said motor, said member having an initial starting position, and means associated with said motor to prevent the restoration of said member to its initial starting positionuntil said means has .been moved to a predetermined position.

22. In combination, a telephone instrument having a casing, switching mechanism and signalling means mounted in said casing, a motordriven phonograph, an actuating member extending from said phonograph to said instrument and contacting the switching mechanism therein to move some from open to closed position when said member is actuated and a second actuating member extending between said phonograph and 23. In combination with a telephone instrument having a casing enclosing switching mechanism and signalling means and having a base plate with apertures therein subjacent movable parts of said switching mechanism and signalling means, a motor-driven phonograph, an actuating member extending from said phonograph and through one of said apertures in said base plate and contacting said switching mechanism in said casing to move same from open toclosed position when said member is actuated, and a second actuating member extending from said phonograph and through another of said apertures in said base plate and adapted to be'moved by said signalling means, said motor being controlled by the movement of said second actuating member.

24. In combination, a telephone instrument having a casing, switching mechanism and signalling means mounted in said casing, a cabinet adapted to support said casing, phonograph mechanism in said cabinet, an actuating member extending through a wall of said cabinet and into said casing and contacting said switching mechanism therein to operate the same, means within said cabinet to actuate said member, and control means for said phonograph mounted within said cabinet including a member extending through a wall thereof and adapted to engage said signalling means and thereby control said phonograph.

25. In combination with a talking circuit, a telephone instrument having a transmitter and a casing, switching mechanism and signalling means mounted in said casing, a cabinet havmg a perforated wall adapted to support said casing, phonograph mechanism in said cabinet, means extending through a wall of said cabinet and into said casing and contacting said switching mechanism therein to operate the same, means within said cabinet to actuate said member, and control means within said cabinet including a member extending through a wall thereof and adapted to engage said signalling means and whereby upon the actuation thereof said phonograph will operate to produce sound which, passing through said perforated wall of the cabinet, may impinge upon said transmitter while said switching mechanism is operated to connect said transmitter to said talking circuit.

26. In combination, a telephone instrument including a handset having a transmitter and receiver forming a unitary structure separate from other parts of the instrument and adaptedby gravity to operate the switching mechanism thereof when placed upon its normal support, said telephone also having a, casing and switching mechanism therein having a plunger with which said handset is in contact when said handset is mounted upon and normally supported by said casing when not in use by the user, a, phonograph, a motor for operating said phonograph, and means operated by said motor and operatively associated with said switching means to cyclically operate the same and to move said plunger and said handset to permit such operation without completely displacing said handset from its normal support whereby said phonograph may transmit sound to said transmitter while said handset is so moved.

ceiver forming a unitary structure separate from other parts of the instrument and adapted by gravity to operate the switching mechanism thereof when placed upon its normal support, said telephone also having a casing and switching mechanism therein having a plunger with which said handset is in contact when said handset is mounted upon and normally supported by said casing when not in use by the user, a phonograph, a motor for operating said phonograph, and means operated by said motor and operatively associated with said switching means to cyclically operate the same whereby while said handset remains operatively associated with said switching mechanism said handsetis lifted by said plunger without complete displacementof the handset from its normal support, thereby permitting said phonograph to transmit sound to said transmitter while said handset is so displaced.

28. In combination, a telephone instrument including a handset having a transmitter and receiver forming a unitary structure separate from other parts of the instrument and adapted by gravity to operate the switching mechanism thereof when placed upon its normal support, said telephone also having a casing and'switching mechanism including a plunger with which said handset is in contact when said handset is normally supported on said casing when not in use by the user, signalling mechanism in said casing, a phonograph, a motor for operating said phonograph, means operated by said motor and operatively associated with said switching mechanism to cyclically operate the same and move said handset via said plunger to permit such operation without completely displacing said handset from its normal support whereby said phonograph may transmit sound to said transmitter while said handset is so moved, control means for said motor, and a mechanical connecting member extending from said signalling means to said control means whereby same is actuated by said signalling means.

29. In combination, a telephone handset having a transmitter, switching mechanism including contacts, plunger mechanism between said handset and said switching mechanism, said handset being of suflicient weight to operate said plunger to hold said contacts in' open circuit position when said handset is at rest thereon, a phonograph, means associated with said switching mechanism to move same to closed circuit position while permitting said handset to remain at rest on said plunger, and means for operating said phonograph while said contacts are in said closed circuit position whereby sounds produced by said phonograph may impinge upon said transmitter.

30. In combination, a telephone having a ringer, a phonograph and control means therefor spaced apart from said telephone and mechanical means extending between said ringer and said control means whereby the latter is operated by the actuation of said ringer.

31. The combination as claimed in claim 30 wherein the telephone instrument has a casing in which the ringer is mounted, and the mechanical means includes a pivoted member adapted to be moved by the operation of amoving part of said ringer and extending therefrom to said control for actuating the same.

32. The combination as claimed in claim 30 wherein said mechanical means is adapted to automatically engage and disengage the ringer whereby the telephoneis movable independently of the phonograph and usable independently thereof while said means and said phonograph remain connected together.

33. In a combined apparatus of the class described, a telephone line, a telephone connected to said line, a phonograph, means in said phonograph and telephone for conjointly controlling the starting of said phonograph including a mechanical member connecting same with a moving part of the telephone, and means for stopping said phonograph after a predetermined running period.

34. A communication circuit, transmitting apparatus connected thereto including switching mechanism whereby the transmitting apparatus may be connected to said circuit, a sound device including a mechanical motor, means operated by said motor for operating said switching mechanism, a control device connected to said circuit and arranged to cause said motor to operate said sound device, and means controlled by the operation of said motor for actuating said control device to stop said motor in timed relation to the operation of said first means.

HARRY R. VAN DEVENTER. 

